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About Raccoon Creek State Park

Raccoon Creek State Park is a 7,572-acre park in Hanover, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles from Pittsburgh. It makes for a great day trip! The Beach at Raccoon State Park makes for a great day trip but you could easily make a week/weekend long camping trip out of it! In addition to the the sandy beach you’ll also find boat rentals (kayaks, hydro bikes, canoes, etc), trails for hiking and plenty of campsites/cabins.

Raccoon Creek State Park : 3000 PA-18, Hookstown, PA 15050

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The Beach at Raccoon Creek State Park

I highly recommend spending a weekend swimming at Raccoon State Park Beach. Not only is it completely free, but they have plenty of on-site amenities such as changing rooms, restrooms, and showers.

The sandy beach gradually slopes into the water – the first few feet in are very shallow and sandy making it great for inexperienced swimmers. The swimming area is marked off with ropes that also indicate depth – ranging from 0 to 5ft. There’s also a lap lane that spans the length of the beach at the back end. There’s a large grassy area located behind the sandy beach that’s great for laying out the towels.

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Visitors are welcome to bring food and drink (no alcohol permitted). However, there is food, beverages and treat available for purchase at the concession stand (open on weekends, usually 11am-7pm). Picnic benches and tables are located nearby and a charcoal grill is available for use as well.

Please note – while there are on-site staff to help with first aid, there are no lifeguards are on duty. During our visit the beach was very clean. I’ve heard it gets pretty busy during nice weekends in the summer (as with most popular swimming spots in/around Pittsburgh) so I’d suggest heading there early.

Beach hours are from 8am-Sunset.

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Boat Rentals at Raccoon Creek State Park

The lake is great for canoeing and kayaking! You’re welcome to bring your own (they just need to be registered with state stickers) and no special permit is required. A boat rental station located near the beach offers a variety of things to rent including paddleboards, hydro bikes, canoes, and kayaks.

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Hiking at Raccoon Creek State Park

If you’re not familiar with the area but would like to go hiking I’d suggest stopping by the park office first. They have very friendly staff and maps/guides that can point you in the right direction. There are over 44 miles of very well maintained trails.

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Camping at Raccoon Creek State Park

We didn’t stay overnight during our visit but I did notice they offered a variety of camping options. They had everything from modern cabins to regular campgrounds. There are also community restrooms, an amphitheater, fire rings, fishing, picnic areas and more.

Tips on Planning a Visit

The park is very easy to navigate through and they having plenty of signs guiding you to the different locations throughout the park such as the beach, boat rentals, park office, etc. As I mentioned before, weekends get busy so plan accordingly. There are several free community events for adults and children all summer long.